THE RSPCA has done itself no favours at all with its fruitless prosecution – in fact it might be argued it's more like a persecution – of Allison Evans, who walked out of court on Monday having successfully fought the charity's attempts to accuse her of animal neglect.

This was a case involving a cat which the charity itself had originally asked her to look after, while failing to mention its aversion to flea bites.

Consequently Allison felt unable to care for it properly and asked the charity to relieve her of the burden of having to do so.

When Allison handed the cat back one would imagine the RSAPCA would thank her for trying to help, But no, the charity decided to take her to court. Absolute madness.

Thank goodness local supporters of the charity had the courage and the intelligence to support Allison in the case, which contributed in no small measure to her acquittal.